Filing for divorce during the holidays

While children are busy preparing their Christmas list to send to Santa, parents in New York and elsewhere are thinking about what they need the most this holiday season. While there are some items likely to spark the fancy of most parents, others are focused on their marriage and their wellbeing. In other words, some parents are wondering if this might be the last Christmas spent together as a family.

When it is clear that a marriage will no longer survive, the end of the year is often a time when married couples think it is finally time to call it quite. Unfortunately, this decision falls on one of the most important holidays of the year. Maybe it was something spouses have been battling with for some time, or maybe it was the stress of the holiday season. No matter the event that sparked the desire to seek a divorce, it can be a trying time to initiate the process during the holidays.

Because of the timing of this decision and what the holidays can do to some marriages, January is a month that experiences a high rate of divorce filings. This is because spouses have decided to postpone the filing in order to get through one last holiday. This could be for the kids, extended family members or based on the fact that they are simply not ready to tell everyone that they are getting a divorce.

Although it might be clear that the marriage is over and divorce is the next logical step, it is not an easy one to take. Thus, spouses must be mindful on how they share the news and how they share it. If children are involved, it is important to be sensitive toward the situation. This can be very shocking and emotional for them. Depending on their age, it might be appropriate to explain to them what is about to happen.

No matter what time of year it is, filing for divorce is difficult. The challenges associated with dissolution could be eased with the assistance of a legal professional. This could help ensure a spouse is well informed of their rights, their situation and what steps are necessary to take to resolve any divorce or family law issues.

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Jasne & Florio, L.L.P., works closely with clients to provide reliable and high-quality legal services in New York, including Westchester County, Rockland County, Orange County, Putnam County, Dutchess County, Nassau County, White Plains, Yonkers, New Rochelle, Mount Vernon, Poughkeepsie, Peekskill, Greenburgh, New York City, Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens.